Journey to Christmas

Totally enjoyed it. It was a refreshing departure from the Hallmark Christmas movie line up with all the same actors, repeated storylines, and over-the-top home, office, and town decorations. Although the storyline was somewhat predictable with love interests getting snowed in along their journey (but that's why we watch these romantic holiday movies, right?), the "non-Diva" influencer/model lead was unexpected. She was cast well to be a likable character and build the needed personal connections. I found the mother and her home to be relatable and realistic but think some other actors fell short. The manager, brother, and younger sister over-acted. Good script but heir line delivery felt unnatural. Still, it was a sweet movie worth watching.

Don't pay too much attention to the intolerant reviewers who just want to complain about the main actor's lack of experience and to compare one network's stable of performers to another's--and even whine about the commercials shown during the TV broadcasts of a film. How are people like that even fans of the genre? In this instance, no, the main stars have not been doing the same old stories that many actors have been doing for fifteen or twenty years, but in my opinion that made them sound fresher. Sometimes the "experienced" actors just sound bored, or tired of the same old lines they are delivering. Of course, what I like best about Great American Family films is that they are not trying to socially manipulate their viewers like Hallmark does. GAC stories are family friendly--some of us really appreciate that. But even if you don't, or don't care, this is an enjoyable film regardless. That's the bottom line.

GAC's fourth installment in their 2023 Christmas productions comes with new faces, Ash Tsaj, who plays the role of a famous influencer, turned model, and Joey Heyworth, the limo service owner/driver that takes her in a winter charity tour and journey, through bad weather and unplanned deviations, to an L. A. destination, important for her career. Forced to stop at his family home, they bond, while she revels in the simple joy of a family's Christmas activities and he deals with the ghosts of a previous relationship. What makes the story somewhat original, and typically GAC, is that she is absolutely no diva, a wholesome, kind person, totally unselfish and genuine. I found Ash Tsaj quite charming in her part and hope GAC plans to grace future productions with her talent. Joey Heyworth looks, perhaps, a little less at ease in his acting, though he does contribute to the atmosphere of warmth that the entire cast and the story creates. The only harsh character is the manager, who fails at molding her into a self- absorbed, greedy personality. Which makes me ponder on the difficulties self imposed by GAC and Hallmark of old. How can you create entertaining drama without the crude situations, stunning effects, perverted feelings, flawed characters, and scandalous behaviors that are main, when not sole, ingredients of much of modern cinematography? When all characters are, admittedly, unrealistically wholesome and good? As far as seen in the initial entries of their Christmas movies line-up, GAC appears to have successfully achieved their intent and provided real Christmas movies.

This is a very unique take on the concept of strangers meeting at Christmas. The characters are well rounded, believable and just enough of their backgrounds are explained so the viewer can understand motives and root for the best ending. This movie is entertaining enough for adults and safe for the whole family. Sweet is the best word to describe it. I would love to see a sequel and more movies with such believable characters. I was surprised that even the young girl was well cast and fit so well into the family dynamic. All too often a tween/young teen will be way too bubbly for no apparently reason or spoiled. This was a refreshing change.

It's only year three of the Great American Christmas movies, so you can't expect all of them to be winners. Journey to Christmas will not be among the more fondly remembered of the year by most people.

The plot is at least somewhat original: limo driver taking a famous model across the country at Christmas time until weather forces them to stop, not coincidentally at his boyhood home, where he hasn't been for several years. They naturally fall for each other, until a misunderstanding, well...you know.

The problem here is the acting. Everybody seems so stiff and unnatural at times you think you're watching a rehearsal for the high school play.

A theme among GAF actors I've noticed is they don't speak clearly enough to understand, exacerbated by the fact they talk so fast.

The lead actress is certainly pretty, tall and thin enough to be the supermodel she portrays (although this one actually eats), but there was zero chemistry with her costar.

They're just getting started. I know they'll get better, but I doubt I'll be watching this one again.